QUEZON CITY (PIA) -- The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) employees and officials join the Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) on Thursday, March 9.

Upon the ring of the alarm signaling an ongoing earthquake, everyone practices the duck, cover, and hold. After it stops, everyone proceeded to the emergency exits for immediate evacuation to safe areas.

Everyone has a protective gear for falling debris while some use their hands to cover their heads.

An Incident Command System (ICS) was also established to account the personnel and identify if there are casualties after the earthquake.

A sample scenario of wounded personnel were also brought to the ICS and were given proper first aid.

Coinciding with the Fire Prevention Month, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Project 6 Station conducted a demo of the proper use of fire extinguisher.

BFP shares the P-A-S-S principle to properly extinguish a fire:

P-ull the pin at the top of the extinguisher to break the seal;
A-im the nozzle. Approach the fire standing at a safe distance or at least 3 meters away;
S-queeze the handle or lever to discharge the extinguishing agent inside the bottle; and
S-weep side to side.

BFP also reminds to always aim at the base of the fire and not the flames. Adding that aiming at the fuel will ensure to stop the fire.

PIA Director-General Ramon Lee Cualoping III reminds everyone to be prepared for an eventuality.

“Pinagdarasal natin na hindi mangyari ang isang sakuna katulad ng isang malakas na lindol ngunit pwedeng mangyari. Kaya ang lagi nating sinasabi ay maging laging handa. Tayo sa PIA, PBS, APO, PTV, and PNA must always be prepared. Be conscious of our surroundings and make sure that we protect each other’s lives. Again, maging laging handa. Lahat tayo maging laging handa,” DG Cualoping said. (KSAA - PIA CPSD)